Carpet sweeper and control



Dec. 29, 1953 THIELE 2,663,888

CARPET SWEEPER AND CONTROL Original Filed NOV. 17, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet l IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII/ W Bev-Hmclcl Q Thiele TTgmEY/ Dec. 29, 1953 B. R. THIELE CARPET SWEEPER AND CONTROL 2'sheets-sriet 2 Original Filed NOV. 1'7, 1944 rovsmrcv B ha l d YQ- Tnie le WW 7 #77 C ATTGRNBY .parent as the description proceeds. companying drawings:

Patented Dec. 29, 1953 UNITED STATES PATIENT WOF 2,663,888 FICE CARPET SWEEPER AND CONTROL Berthold R. Thiele, Ripon, Wis, assignor to Speed Queen Corporation, Ripon, Wis., a corporation 01' Delaware 6, 1951, SeriaI'NO. 230,130

4 Claims. (01. 15 -41) The present invention relates to carpet sweepers I of the type having two dust pans disposed within a translatable casing for catching dust particles swept from a floor covering by a rotatable sweeperbrush disposed between the pans.

One object of the invention is to provide a carpet sweeper f the above type with a simplified dust pan control which is selectively operable to maintain the pans in either open or closed position and which is at the same time conveniently accessible to the user for dumping the pans.

the sweeper handle in raised position when the sweeper is not in use.

Other objects and advantages will become ap- In the ac- Figure 1 is a small scale plan view of a sweeper embodying the features of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a small scale end view of the sweeper showing the sweeper handle in raised position.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view on a larger scale taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 2, with V certain parts eliminated for clarity in illustration.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the relationship of an element of the dust pan control to one dust pan.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line 55 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view on an enlarged scale taken along line 6-6 of Fig. 1 with certain sweeper parts left out for clarity in illustration.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 6-6 in Fig. 1, and showing the dust pan control and one of the pans in dumping position.

The present application is a division of my copending application Serial No. 563,845, filed 1' November 17, 1944, (now Patent No. 2,602,175, issued July 8, 1952).

Referring more particularly to the drawings,

, the sweeper forming the instant embodiment of the invention comprises a casing ll adapted to opposite sides of the brush, Figs. 3, 5, and 6. It

. will be understood that the sweeper is of generally symmetrical construction and that structural elements on one side or end of the sweeper find their counterparts on the opposite side or end of the sweeper.

The casing II is designed to provide a relatively large inner compartment 20, Figs. 3, 5, and 6, for the accommodation of the dust pans l1, l8 and the sweeper brush I6, shown only in Fig. 2. Two smaller compartments 22 are also provided at opposite ends of the casing, Figs. 3 and 5, for the accommodation of the floor wheels l5 and related parts (not shown) for mounting the.

wheels and driving the sweeper brush.

As to the general construction of the casing H, the inner compartment 20 is defined by two spaced end plates 24 vertically positioned in the casing and suitably attached to opposite ends of an arched cover plate 25, Figs. 3, 5, and ,6. Corresponding side edges of the end plates 24 are interconnected by side rails 26, the ends of which extend somewhat beyond the end plates. The end compartments 22 are defined by the respective end plates 24 and by two end shells 28, Figs. 3 and 5 suitably attached to the opposite ends of the cover plate 25 and the side rails 2 I In the present instance, the end plates 24 are to receive in assembled relationship therewith the opposite ends of a sweeper brush assembly (appearing only in Fig. 2).

The dust pans l1 and I 6 are disposed inthe casing compartment 20 on opposite sides of the end plate slots '29, Fig. 6. As to the structural details of the pans, it will be seen that each includes an elongated floor plate 36 bounded by marginal edge side flanges 32 and opposed end flanges 33 designed to retain dust in the pans. The outer side flange 32 of each pan is arranged to engage the contiguous side rail 26 and to form a dust-tight seal therewith upon closure of the pan. The inner side flange 32 of each pan extends upwardly and outwardly a substantial distance, Fig. 6, for cooperation with the sweeper brush, shown only in Fig. 2, in bringing about maximum sweeping elficiency. The opposite end flanges 33 of each pan extend upwardly from the pan floor plate 30, and interconnect with corresponding ends of the side flanges 32, each end flange decreasing progressively in height from the inner to the outer side flange. v Each of the pans I! and I8 is pivotally sup- 7 ported in casing II for swinging movement between 9. closed or dust catching position, Fig. 6,

end plates 24, one pin being provided foneach flange.

The present invention is particularly concerned with the provision i-of'na 'compoundstabilizer and dust pan control fof simplified-{com struction for sweepers of the typerdescribed. As.

wardly into dumping position, Fig. 7.

to the dust pan control features, the improved control provided is designed to not only selec-. tively maintain the dust pans in open and closed positions but to also serve as a manual actuator for dumping the-pans,- certain parts of the-controlbeing accessibly located inexternatlrlation to the sweepercasing for this purpose.

In the exemplary'sweeper illustrated dust pan controls constructed in accordance with the -invention are duplicated at opposite endsof the sweeper. As ShOWIL'SZLCh control comprises-a compound springaridhandle member 3? having twospacedvertical legs 39 interconnected-at their top'ends by a horizontal handle' iifiFigs. 1

and 4. As the pan controls 37 are integrated into the sweeper, thecontrol legs 33 are--siidably mounted on the inner faces of the enchplat-es 24, each leg-extending through individualppper and lower guides 42-and 63-011 the'end plates,

Figs. 3 and 6. The lower ends or the legs 39 pivotally engage the respective dust pans i1, i3

at points on the pans which assume positions below the pivotal'support'pins 36 when the pans are in closed position, Fig. 6.

Preferably, the connection to the pans is -'-effected by forming horizontal extensions-" on the lower ends of the legs. Each extension 45 isengaged in a notch 46 in the loweredgeof --'thecontiguous dust pan support fiange as. The

notches '48 are so shaped that the-leg extensions 45 are'at all times capable of transmitting outward horizontal forces and vertical forces to the pan support flanges 34. Theconstruction "also enables the lateral extensions 45 to transmit downward forces to the flanges when the pans are in the open position, Fig. "7.

Each control member 31 including the legs 39 preferably is fabricated from an integral bar or wire of spring steel-or the like, the configuration -of-the member 31 being such that the'legs 39 are placed under lateral stress upon assemblyof the sweeper parts, causing the lower ends of the legs to exert horizontal'pressure on the-dust handle. Preferably the handles are disposed in vertical indentations 5! formed in the end shells ,to extend downwardly irom'the topside of the casing llfFigs. 1, 3, and5. In this-manner, the handles are spaced from the contiguous shell "walls and are at the same time shielded by the surrounding portions of the shells to guard against marring of furniture.

Thebonvenienceafiorded to the user by the novel -dust pan "control arrangement is evident from a-rsumpf' its operation. All that is required-iordumping the pans is that one or both 39-aiwhich 'in turn swing both dust pans down- If it is "desire'dthat pans beheld open for any appreciable time, the handles are moved upwardly sufiiciently to raise the leg-extensionsdsubstan- -tially to the level or above the-'pivot i t fifi'l he horizontal biasing forces ofthe 1egs'39 then act in lines above thepivots to-maintainthe'pans in open position.

- If, on the other hand, there should-be noreason to hold the pans ll, H3 in'openposition,

thehandlesili are -liited-srifiicieritly-to dump the pans, but not enough- -to-raise the leg-'extensions to dead center position. The spring forces-of the legs 39 on=the pans thus'c'ontinue to act in lines below the pivots 36 and-are selfoperativ to close the pans immediately upon release of the handles 49. This-self clo'sing feature of the pan control also facilitatesclosing of the pans even when the pans have been locl'red open position by the control. "In these -instances all thatis necessarytoclose the pans-is that one of the handles be pushed downwardly a short distanceto'move the leg-extensions backthrough deadcenter position. -At that time the self-closing action takesover, and the 'pans snap into closed position.

Thus it is clear that the novel 'dust' pan c ontrol affords an extremely convenient and ei'fective means for dumping the: pans toempty the sweeper. The'oontrol handles are-readily accessible to the user and-may be manipulat'ed "directly from a "position J above "the "top *ofythe sweeper; casing. The position ofthe handlesoutside the casing i I-'keeps' the handlesdree-of dust pans through the leg extensions. Normally,

' the extensions engage the pans at 'points'below the support pivots 36 and the legs39 press outwardly "on the pans to bias them toward closed position.

Referring more particularly to the handles '40 of the control members 31, it will be'seenfrom Figs. 3, 4,-and 5, that each handle formsa transverse hand grip element outwardly offset from the legs 39-and connected'at-opposite ends to the legs by horizontal'extensions 41. As shown, the

extensions 41 protrude through vertical slotsflfl,

50 in the end plates 24 and the end shells 28 to dispose the respective handles" or grippers 40 in external relation to the sweeper casing H.

Each handledli is spaced externally a sufficient distance from its associated end shell 28; Fig. 5-,

toenable the user conveniently to grasp the notch54 which receives'the, *asso'oiatedbail" arm 52 when 'theba'il'iii is raised into vertical'position," Figs. 4 and '5. The'retainin'g 'action ofthe so theyv do not soil-'-the-handsofthe-fiser when thesweeper is emptied.

In addition to affording convenient control of "the dust pans ii'fi'fiyt-he compound controimemimprove thesweeping' action" of thesweeper"and to maintain the sweeper handle 12 in .raisediposition when'thesweeper' is'not in use. As shown in Figs. '3-'and 5,'the handles of the -members "3?, which are somewhat resilient "in'character,

aredisposed in position to yieldably engage'the handles. It will be noted that in exerting'an outward pressrirenn the"arms'sirthe-handles 40 react on'thecasi'ngfl through the links 41; which abuttinglyengagetheguidesfi. y 1

Each handle an isiformed to "have a generally W shaped configuratiomthecentralportiontbeing indented inwardly topresent an-outwardlyopen notches issufilcientto' maintain" the bail P3 and handle l2 'yie'ldablyin"-vertical position once it is raised to this position. Thus, when the operator is temporarily not using the sweeper, the handlelZ may be left in a standing position to eliminate any necessity for stooping to pick up the handle when the sweeper is to be used again.

The end sections 55 of the handles on opposite sides of the central notches 54 engage the arm 52 whenever the handle I2 is pivoted to either side of its standing position in the course of moving the sweeper back and forth over a carpet. This engagement of the parts results in frictional resistance to pivotal movement or the handle 12 relative to the casing I I incident to operation of the sweeper and thereby induces a stabilizing effect to the action of the handle l2 in controlling the sweeper. This stabilization improves the operation of the sweeper and is particularly advantageous in sweepers which are floatingly mounted on their floor wheels, such as the sweeper shown in my previously identified copending application.

It will be noted from the preferred construction illustrated that the extensions are in clined toward the casin II from their inner to their outer ends. The shaping of the handles 46 to bring about this disposition of the extensions enables the arms 52 to slide back up on the handles in the event they are pivoted beyond either of the handle extremities. Moreover, the inclination of the extensions 55 induces longitudinal forces in the handles Ail which are cumulative with the frictional reaction of the arms 52 on the handles to bring about a most efi'ective stabilizing action on the sweeper.

The simplicity of the construction provided by th invention is manifest from a review of the drawings. Each of the combined controls 3'! is fabricated from a single length of spring bar stock, obviously a very inexpensive construction. Moreover, the controls can be easily assembled into the sweeper to be operatively connected with the dust pans ll, l8 through engagement with the flange notches 46.

As assembled into the sweeper, the controls 3'! serve a number of different purposes of an advantageous nature. They afford convenient control of the dust pans ll, 18 and also serve to close the pans or selectively maintain them in either closed or open position. Furthermore, the novel controls cooperate with the sweeper bail l3 to maintain the bail in raised position and to impart an improved action to the sweeper itself.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a carpet sweeper of the class described, the combination of a generally rectangular casing, two opposed dust pans pivotally mounted in said casing, a handle bail having two spaced arms pivotally attached to opposite ends of said casing, a compound stabilizer and dust pan control member having spaced resilient legs pivotally connected to said respective pans, a control handle interconnected between said legs and positioned outside of said casing in engagement with one of said arms, said handle being formed to present an outwardly open medial notch adapted to coact with said one arm to maintain said bail in raised position, said handle having end sections on opposite sides of said notch adapted to engage said one arm for stabilizing said sweeper upon inclination of said bail from its raised position as an incident to operation of the sweeper.

2. In a carpet sweeper of the class described, the combination of a generally rectangular casing, two opposed dust pans pivotally mounted in said casing, a handle bail having two spaced arms pivotally attached to opposite ends of said casing, a compound stabilizer and dust pan control member having spaced legs pivotally connected to said respective pans and slidably disposed in guides on said casing, a control handle interconnected between said legs and positioned outside of said casing in offset relation to the contiguous portion thereof, said handle being biased into engagement with one of said arms for stabilizing said sweeper during use, and the reaction of said arm on said handle being absorber by said guides.

3. In a carpet sweeper of the class described, the combination of a generally rectangular casing, two opposed dust pans pivotally mounted in said casing, a handle bail having two spaced arms pivotally attached to opposite ends of said casing, a compound stabilizer and dust pan control member having two spaced resilient legs pivotally connected tot said respective pans, a control handle interconnected between said legs and positioned outside of said casing in offset relation to a contiguous portion of said casing and being adapted to raise and lower said legs for opening and closing said pans, said handle being biased into engagement with one of said arms, said handle having an outwardly open medial notch adapted to coact with said one arm to maintain said ball in raised position, and two inclined end sections on opposite sides of said notch adapted to engage said one arm for stabilizing said sweeper when said bail is inclined from its vertical position in the course of operation of the sweeper.

4. In a carpet sweeper of the class described, the combination comprising a casing including two spaced end plates defining an inner compartment, two end shells on opposite ends of said casing cooperating with said end plates to define two upwardly and laterally closed end compartments, two dust pans disposed in said inner compartment, each pivotally connected to said respective plates, one of said end shells forming a medial indentation in the upper portion thereof and delining a pair of vertical slots on opposite sides of said indentation, said end plate adjacent said one end shell having guides thereon alined with said end shell slots, a compound stabilizer and a dust pan control member including two upright resilient legs slidably engaging said end plate guides and pivotally connected at their lower ends to said respective dust pans, extension members on said legs projecting through said end shell slots, and an elongated handle interconnected between the outer ends of said extension members and spanning said shell indentation, a sweeper handle bail including two spaced arms pivotally attached to said respective end shells at a level below said handle, and the medial portion of said handle being formed with an outwardly open medial notch for receiving the adjacent handle bail arm when the latter is in raised position, opposite ends of said handle being adapted to engage the adjacent bail arm when the arm is in inclined position to stabilize said casing.

BERTHOLD R. THIELE.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

